2005 Summer Events

May 22, 2005

30 JUNE 3-5 JAWS FEST Martha's Vineyard Fin fetishists will mark the 30th anniversary of cinematic icon Jaws with an island-wide celebration that will include shark-movie workshops, tours of sites in Jaws, and appearances by about 20 members of the original cast and crew. Free events include a Friday-night outdoor screening and bonfire at Owen Park Beach; paid events range from $10 for a workshop to $75 for a clambake to $695 for a festival pass; 508-693-7157, www.mvy.com.

JUNE 11 OAK BLUFFS HARBOR FESTIVAL Oak Bluffs One scenic Martha's Vineyard harborfront is transformed for a day. Visit the booths representing local shops and restaurants, listen to live music, or enter a raffle to benefit area causes. If you're feeling creative, join the chalk art contest: Everybody is welcome to take a section of sidewalk and draw, but prizes are reserved for the young. Noon to 5 p.m.; free admission; www.oakbluffsmv.com.

JUNE 15-19 PROVINCETOWN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Provincetown Fifty-plus films over five days, shown at Town Hall and other venues around P-town. Events include breakfast sessions with filmmakers and a night at the Wellfleet drive-in. Single tickets, $10, festival passes, $100 to $1,200; 508-487-3456, www.ptownfilmfest.org.

JUNE 18-25 FIFTH ANNUAL MASTER SAND SCULPTING COMPETITION Hampton Beach, New Hampshire Tons of imported sand, an invitation-only lineup, and $10,000 in prize money can actually net some pretty fancy sand castles. A large-scale, collaborative "group carve" begins on June 18 (last year's theme was Lord of the Rings), then solo competition starts on June 23. Get ideas for your own castles even at night, when lights illuminate the event. (Entries remain on display until June 30.)Free admission; www.hamptonbeach.org.

JUNE 23-26 ST. PETER'S FIESTA Gloucester Gloucester's Italian-American fishing community rings in the start of Cape Ann's summer season with a big bash. Stop by for food, dancing, music, contests, and the blessing of the fleet. Free admission; www.stpetersfiesta.org.

JUNE 25 25TH ANNUAL WCOD CHOWDER FESTIVAL Hyannis Sample chowder from local restaurants relocated for the day to the Cape Cod Melody Tent, then vote for the best. Live music, games, and prizes. $15 adult admission (or $10 in advance), $4 for kids 3 to 10; 508-775-5630, www.melodytent.com.

JULY 3-4 FIREWORKS AND BEACH BONFIRE Gloucester and Rockport Much of Cape Ann turns out for the fireworks display over Gloucester Harbor at 10 p.m. every July 3. Then on the 4th, those in the know first catch Rockport's Fire Department parade at 6 p.m., then make their way to the town's Back Beach for a bonfire made from a giant tepee of wooden pallets. Free admission; 978-283-1601, www.rockportusa.com.

JULY 9-10 NEWPORT KITE FESTIVAL Newport, Rhode Island Brenton Point State Park plays host to a Newport kite company's annual expo. For entry fees of $3 to $5, compete at making or flying a kite, or simply watch the demonstrations and spectacles (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days), from kite-fighting to races to a 300-foot-long "octopus" kite. Free admission; www.buyakite.com.

JULY 9-10 NEWBURYPORT RIVERFRONT FESTIVAL Newburyport A city picnic at Waterfront Park centers on the Merrimack River. Local restaurants set up booths, and a yacht club organizes Laser races. Free admission; www.newburyportchamber.org.

JULY 15-17 YARMOUTH CLAM FESTIVAL Yarmouth, Maine In its 40th annual celebration, Yarmouth will prove that it really knows how to honor a bivalve: with a carnival, races, fireworks, shucking contests, and clams cooked every way you can imagine. Some experienced parade-watchers start setting up lawn chairs along the route at 6:30 a.m. Friday for that evening's 6 o'clock event. Free admission; 207-846-3984, www.clamfestival.com.

JULY 16 AN EVENING UNDER THE STARS Hingham The South Shore Conservatory stages an outdoor concert version of Gilbert and Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore at the Jane C. Carr Amphi-theater. The performance begins at 7 p.m., but arrive early with your picnic dinner to stake out the best seats on the lawn. $25 pavilion seats (or $20 in advance), $15 lawn seating (or $12 in advance); 781-934-2731, Ext. 14, www.southshoreconservatory.org/eus.htm.

JULY 31 SALTWATER MUSIC FESTIVAL Brunswick, Maine Folk, blues, and roots performers play all afternoon and evening at Thomas Point Beach (1 to 8:30). Headliners at this year's show will include Solas, Chris Smither, The Samples, G. E. Smith with Johnny Hiland, and others. $35 admission (or $25 in advance); 888-757-7258, www.saltfest.com.

AUGUST 3-7 MAINE LOBSTER FESTIVAL Rockland, Maine The party starts Wednesday at noon and continues through that evening's coronation of the Sea Goddess and Sunday's lobster-crate race, where contestants traverse 50 traps strung between two piers. Meanwhile, revelers eat more than 25,000 pounds of lobster. Free admission Wednesday, then $7 for adults ($10 after 3 p.m.), $2 for children 6 to 12;800-562-2529, www.mainelobsterfestival.com.

AUGUST 5-7 NEWPORT FOLK FESTIVAL Newport, Rhode Island Arlo Guthrie performs at the Newport Casino Friday, then other singers play Fort Adams State Park all day Saturday and Sunday. $30 admission Friday, or $120 for three days; 401-847-3700, www.newportfolk.com.

AUGUST 17 GRAND ILLUMINATION NIGHT Oak Bluffs In a Vineyard tradition, participants gather at the Tabernacle in Trinity Park for a 7:30 band concert and singalong, then stroll at 9 through the historic Campground neighborhood. Residents dress up their porches with silk lanterns, and all oglers are welcome. Free admission; 508-693-0525.

AUGUST 18-21 MARTHA'S VINEYARD AGRICULTURAL FAIR West Tisbury The 144th annual Agricultural Fair, on the West Tisbury fairgrounds, will include farming exhibitions, a women-only skillet-throwing contest, a horse pull, live music, and a midway with food, a Ferris wheel, and other rides. $8 for adults, $5 for seniors and children 5 to 12; call 508-693-9549 after August 1.

AUGUST 18-21 AND 25-27 PORTLAND CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL Portland, Maine You may have heard radio broadcasts on WGBH of concerts from this annual event. Why not go in person this year? There will be four evening concerts (two on Thursdays, two on Saturdays) at Ludcke Auditorium and two free family concerts (both on Sunday, August 21) at the Children's Museum of Maine. Admission free for those 21 and younger; adult tickets cost $20 for one show, $35 for two, and $70 for the entire festival; 800-320-0257, www.pcmf.org.

AUGUST 19-21 MACHIAS WILD BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL Machias, Maine Saturday and Sunday are the don't-miss days of this 30th annual celebration of Maine's favorite fruit. Look for local food and craft vendors, or try to win the quilt raffle that benefits the Machias-area food bank. If you skip the early 5K run and blueberry-pancake breakfast on Saturday, you can still enter the pie-eating contest at 11 that morning. Free admission; 207-255-4402; www.machiaschamber.org.

AUGUST 20 SANDCASTLE AND SCULPTURE DAY Nantucket Report to Jetties Beach at noon for this decades-old juried contest, which is grouped by age. $5 entry fee due by August 19, free admission; 508-228-1700, www.nantucketchamber.org.

SEPTEMBER 3-4 SCHOONER FESTIVAL Gloucester Wave to illuminated boats of all kinds Saturday starting at 7:30 p.m. as they pass in the Parade of Lights down the Annisquam River and into Gloucester Harbor. Fireworks at 9. On Sunday, catch the 9 a.m. Parade of Sail, then the Mayor's Race at 11. Free admission; www.capeannvacations.com/schooner.